Yakubu Aiyegbeni misses from 2 meters in penalty challenge against Micah Richards
Super Eagles of Nigeria legend, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, is once again the talk of social media after a viral video showed him missing from 2 meters in a penalty challenge against former Manchester City defender, Micah Richards.
The event took place at Goodison Park during halftime of Everton’s Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion, which Everton lost 3-0.
Yakubu, a former Everton striker, was part of the halftime entertainment. The challenge involved taking penalty shots against makeshift goalkeepers Micah Richards and Merseyside boxing legend Tony Bellew. Despite his past prowess on the pitch, Yakubu failed to score in his attempts against Richards, much to the amusement of the crowd and social media users.
The video of Yakubu’s misses quickly went viral, drawing comparisons to his infamous miss during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. One user commented, “Yakubu misses from 2 meters against Richards? Some things never change!” Another added, “Seeing Yakubu miss again brings back memories of 2010.”
Yakubu’s miss at the 2010 World Cup remains one of the most talked-about moments in Nigerian football history. In a crucial match against South Korea, with Nigeria needing a win to advance to the round of 16, Yakubu missed an open goal from close range. The pass from Ayila Yussuf found Yakubu in front of the net, but he pushed the ball wide of the left post. The miss contributed to Nigeria’s 2-2 draw, ultimately leading to their exit from the tournament.
Nigerian fans have not forgotten this moment. The recent miss at Goodison Park has reignited discussions about that World Cup match. A fan remarked, “Yakubu’s miss at Goodison Park is a reminder of why we still haven’t forgiven him for 2010.”
Despite the misses, Yakubu remains a beloved figure in Nigerian football. His contributions to the Super Eagles and his impressive club career, particularly at Everton, have cemented his legacy. As one fan put it, “Yakubu may miss some shots, but he’ll always be a legend to us.”
Yakubu’s return to Goodison Park was meant to be a fun engagement with the fans, but it has instead provided a trip down memory lane, reminding everyone of both his glorious and not-so-glorious moments on the football pitch.
